Christmas For Kids - Every Child Deserves Christmas!

Left: Jaqueline Varholik; Right: Bob Hundhausen, Jaqueline Varholik, Karen Essex, and Mark Essex

"Christmas for Kids" was founded in 2021 by three volunteers who wanted to help families that were struggling. That first year, they assisted 21 families and 54 children. In 2023, they became a registered 501(d)3 charitable organization. By the 2024 giving season, as their donations and number of volunteers grew, they assisted 350 children in Grant, Lafayette, Iowa, and Crawford Counties. Jaqueline Varholik joined the list of volunteers in November, 2023 and became a board member in February, 2024. Applications are open and accepted October 1 - November 1 each year to any family that is struggling with financial hardship and has children newborn to 18 years old. They cross reference with other local programs to ensure that the families are not receiving benefits from similar organizations to ensure they are able to help as many families and children as possible. Their goal is to gift each child with 1 full outfit, a stocking stuffer, and 4-5 wrapped new gifts to open on Christmas morning.  The retail cost for what each child receives is ~$250.  The number of children they are able to assist is dependent on the number of donations and volunteers. Volunteers are welcome and needed in December when they wrap all gifts and make the deliveries. Jaqueline and Volunteer Karen Essex both stated that the appreciation they receive when delivering the gifts is unmatched. "It is personally rewarding and fulfilling." The Platteville Optimist Club is happy to support this organization.